Electrical washer for emulsions



ELECTRICAL WASHER FOR EMULSIONS Original Filed Oct. 25 92;,

A I ATTQ NEK Patent ed Au 11, 1936 UNITED STATES.

2,050,301 ELECTRICAL WASHER FOR EMULSIONS Harmon F. Fisher, Long Beach, CaliEassignor to Petroleum Rectifying Company of California, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Calif ornia Application October 25, 1926, Serial No. 143,933 Renewed September 10, 1932 I 19 Claims.

'of mud, sand, silt and the like, the presence of which is quite objectionable. These particles which may be conveniently termed foreign mat-'-' ter tend to clog up the pipes and fill the dehydrator tank and also to cause corrosion of the apparatus. I have found that by utilizing the principleof cataphoresis that the foreign matter may be swept from the petroleum.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a method of cleaning petroleum, which method utilizes among other principles the principle of cataphoresis.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for conducting the method.

My invention is carried on by passing the petroleum through an electric field. Bythe term petroleum is meant a petroleum having a water content or having no water content. In other words, the term petroleum refers to a'fiuid in which the principal constituent is petroleum. In passing through the electric field the suspended particles of foreign matter are bombarded by a charged liquid particles so that a definite electrical high potential charge is given to them. The particles of foreign matter thus being charged are carried under the influence of the electric field to the electrode of lowest field intensity where they are collected. a

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an apparatus in which the foreign matter is bombarded by charged particles.

'1 have found that in most instances it is desirable to provide a collecting liquid or a vehicle at the electrode of lowest field intensity for collectirig the particles of foreign matter and for removing them from the apparatus.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an electrical cleaning apparatus for pctroleum in which the foreign particles are collected and removed from the apparatus by means of a suitable vehicle.

By using for the ionic bombardment liquid dissimilar to the oil but having a particular afiinity for the foreign matter in suspension, the vehicle could be dispensed with, since the liquid used for the ionic bombardment will collect on the electrode of lowest field intensity and thus serve itself as a vehicle.

It is accordingly one of the objects of my invention to provide a cleaning apparatus for petroleum in which a charging liquid dissimilar to the petroleum and having a greater afiinity for the foreign matter than the oil, is used for formin the charged particles.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made evident hereinafter.

.Referring tothe drawing which is for illustrative purposes, g

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the upper end of the electrode of the highest field intensity.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section showing the important part of an alternative form of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the treater of my invention consists of a shell H supporting an inner coating I 0 and having a' tight top l2, and a tight bottom l3, these parts cooperating. to provide a chamber M. This coat-' ing I0 is made of a material having an aflinity for the carrier fluid, as will be hereinafter pointed out, such a material being, plaster of Paris, or,

certain other cements having such a characteristic. The shell ll serves as a grounded electrode for the apparatus for the heater and is the electrode of lowest field intensity. Supported cen- .trally by the-tight top I2 is an insulator I6 through which a tube I1 is extended. A tank I8 is supported at the upper end of the tube I 1.

The lower end of the tube I! is extended into the chamber l4 and supported at the lower end thereof is a central live electrode 20 which is the electrode of highest field intensity of the treater.

Referring to Fig. 2, the lower end of the tube "is threaded and a nut 2| is screwed thereonto. The nut 2| carries a 110M112 and a sleeve 23. These parts are spaced a distance from each other so as to provide an annular outlet pass'age 25 which is curved downward at its periphery. The nut 2| is provided with a central chamber 26 which is connected to the interior of the tube ll. The chamber 26 is connected by openings 28 to the annular passage 25. Threadedly attached at 30 to the lower part of the nut 2| is a rod 3l.- Placed on the rod 3| are discs 33 providing edges 34, and sleeves 35. 1 These parts are alternately arranged as shown clearly in Figs. 1

and 2 and are preferably formed of a material having an affinity for a fluid which is flowed therealong. A nut 36 is threadedly secured to the lower end of the rod 3| for clamping the discs and sleeves 33 and 35 on the rod 3|. Petroleum to be treated is introduced into the upper end of the chamber |4 through a petroleum inlet pipe 38 whichis attached to the tight top I2 of the treater and communicates with the perforated annular pipe 39. An annular trough member 40, as shown in Fig. 1, is located at the upper end of the chamber M. This annular trough member 40 provides an annular trough 4| in communication with which is a vehicle fluid supply pipe 42. The annular trough 4| communicates with the chamber |4 through a narrow annular mouth 43. An outlet pipe 45 is connected to the lower part of the chamber |4 through the tight bottom |3 of the treater. The central electrode 20 and the shell I I which serves as the outer electrode are connected in an electric circuit by a conductor 48 this circuit including a direct current electricity source, as indicated at 48. One side of the source 49 is grounded and the shell H is also grounded so that it is at ground potential, the central electrode 2!! being the electrode of greater field intensity. The central electrode 20 is preferably the negative electrode, whereas the shell H is the positive electrode.

The operation of the invention is substantially as follows: 1

The circuit to the electrodes is completed and an electric field is established in the chamber |4 between these electrodes. The field radiates from the central electrode 20; therefore, this electrode is the electrode of greatest field intensity. The petroleum carrying particles of foreign matter which may be carbon, mud, sand, silt, 'or the like, is introduced into the chamber. l4 at its upper end by means of the annular pipe 39. The annular pipe 39 assures an even distribution of the petroleum in the chamber H. The tank I3 is filled with a charging fluid which may be water or any other suitable electrolyte. This charging fluid flows downward through the tube l1 and passes onto'the outer face of the electrode 20 through the annular passage 25. The shape of the annular passage 25 is such as to direct the charging fluid downward along the face of the electrode 2|! in the form of a fluid envelope, as indicated by light lines 53 in Fig. 2.

By forming the electrode 20 from a material having an afllnity for the charging fluid, this fluid will hug closely to the outer face thereof, as indicated in Fig. 2. Theedges 34 of the discs 33 provide zones of very great field intensity. As the charging fluid passes over the edges 34 the intense fleld at these zones break up the liquid into charged particles as indicated at 55 in Fig. 2. These charged particles are preferably of fixed sign, and in the preferred embodiment'are negatively charged, as is also the electrode 2|, and are therefore attracted by the positive electrode or shell II of the treater. These charged particles .55 are therefore impelled rapidly through the chamber |4 towards the shell ll. These charged particles 55, as it should be clearly understood, are continually given off or driven from the charging fluid 53 along the entire length of the central electrode 20. These charged particles 55 bombard the particles of foreign matter carried in suspension in the petroleum, giving them a definite electrical high voltage charge so that they too are carried outward by the influence of from a material having an afllnity for the chargthe electric field towards the shell I l. The vehicle liquid which is introduced into the trough 4| by the pipe 42 is directed downward by the mouth 43 in a thin coating 51 along the coating ID, as shown in Fig. 1. The charged particles upon reaching the shell I! are forced into and are absorbed by the vehicle coating 51. The vehicle coating 51 therefore serves the purpose of holding the collected particles of foreign matter to the shell I! and of carrying them from the treater. The petroleum upon reaching the lower end of the treater will be completely cleaned of foreign matter. The petroleum, charging fluid and the vehicle carrying the foreign matter will all pass from the treater through the pipe 45.

By reason of the fact that the vehicle 51 has a greater affinity for the foreign matter than the petroleum has for it, the petroleum may be readily separated therefrom in a settling tank. In some instances I have found that it is unnecessary to provide the vehicle coating 51. This is because of the fact that the charging liquid may have a high affinity for the foreign matter and may be introduced to such an extent that it will serve as a vehicle upon reaching the shell I 26 From the foregoing description it will be seen that my invention utilizes the principle of cataphoresis for cleaning oil; that is, the introduction of charged particles, which charged particles charge the particles of foreign matter, thus causing them to travel under the influence of an electric field to one of the electrodes. When my invention is used, the petroleum is thoroughly cleaned of foreign matter and may be very readily dehydrated. It is found that when the foreign matter is removed, not only is the clogging and corrosion of the dehydrating apparatus eliminated but the petroleum is much easier to dehydrate. The forming of the central electrode 20 ing liquid is an important auxiliary feature of the invention since it causes the charging liquid 53 to adhere to the surface thereof along its entire length.

Referring to Fig. 3, I will describe the alternative form of the invention. In this form of the invention the insulator I5 supports a rod 10 at the lower end of which an inverted cone H is placed. The central electrode 20 is supported by the tube I! which is connected to the inverted cone ll. Charging fluid is introduced into the cone H by means of a perforated ring 13 which is supplied with charging fluid by a pipe I4 which extends to the exterior of the shell ll through the tight top II. The perforated ring pipe 13 is spaced 9. 55 distanceabove the inverted cone or baflie H and the charging fluid is allowed to fall into the baffle II in the form of drops so that the high tension path of the apparatus will be in no way connected to the grounded part of the apparatus. This last form of the invention locates all of the parts of the apparatus which are high tension" inside the shell H, of course with the exception of the upper end of the rod 13 which is connected to the source of electrical energy.

Certain phases of the subject-matter disclosed in this application, and not herein claimed, are disclosed and claimed in my co-pending applica-' tion entitled Dehydrator with high field intensity grounded electrode", flied September 16, 1926, SerialNo. 135,804.

I claim as my invention:

1. A method of removing foreign matter from petroleum or other oil, comprising: passing the 011 through an electric field; sending charged particles of a charging fluid into said oil so as to give the particles of foreign matter a. definite charge; and collecting said particles of foreign matter in a vehicle fluid.

2. A method of removing foreign matter from petroleum or other oil, comprising: passing the oil through an electric field; sending charged particles of a charging fluid into said oil so as to give the particles of foreign matter a definite charge; and collecting said particles of foreign matter in a vehicle fluid, the afflnity between said vehicle fluid and said foreign particles being greater than the afiinity between said oil and said vehicle fluid.

3. In a treater for removing foreign particles from petroleum, the combination of: an outer electrode; an inner electrode, there being an electric field between said electrodes; means on said inner electrode for creating zones of high field intensity; means for directing a charging fluid adjacent said inner electrode; and means for supplying a liquid to be treated into said electric field.

4. In a treater for removing foreign particles from petroleum, .the combination of: an outer electrode; aninner electrode, there being an electric field between said electrodes; means on said inner electrode for creating zones of high field intensity; means for directing a charging fluid adjacent said inner electrode; means for supplying a vehicle liquid adjacent said outer electrode; and means for supplying a liquid to be treated into said electric field.

5. A method of remaving foreign matter from petroleum or other oil which comprises: impressing on said oil an electric field; and bombarding said foreign matter with charged particles of a liquid dissimilar to said oil and having a greater affinity for said foreign matter than for said oil, whereby said foreign matter is withdrawn from said oil through the action of said field.

6. A method of removing foreign particles from petroleum or other oil which comprises: forming an electric field of non-uniform intensity between a pair of electrodes; passing a charging fluid through that portion of the field of greatest intensity and in contact with one of said electrodes; whereby charged particles of said charging fluid are projected toward the other of said electrodes; passing a vehicle fluid in contact with the other of said electrodes; and passing said oil between said charging fluid and said vehicle fluid, whereby particles of foreign matter carried by said oil are bombarded and drawn into contact with said vehicle fluid.

7. In an electric treater for treating petroleum the combination of an electrode providing a zone of high field intensity; means for passing a fluid envelope of a charging fluid around and in contact with said electrode, whereby said fluid passes through said zone of high field intensity in such a manner that charged particles of said charging fiuidare projected in a direction away from said electrode; and means for passing petroleum to be treated through the path of travel of said charged particles.

8-. In combination in an electrical treater: electrode of high field intensity; an electrode of. low field inte ity, there being a treating space between said ectrodes; means for passing a primary fluid al ng said electrode of high field intensity; means or passing a secondary fluid along said electrode of low field intensity; and means for introducing a tertiary fluid into said and low field intensity electrodes.

10. A method of treating petroleum to remove a solid foreign matter therefrom, which includes 10 the step of bombarding said petroleum with charged particles of like sign in the presence of a unidirectional electric field; and collecting said solid foreign matter.

11. A-method of removing foreign matter from 15 r a fluid, which includes the steps of: subjecting said fluid and its associated foreign matter to the action of an electric field; sending charged particles of a charging fluid into said fluid with sufficient velocity that said charged particles 20 bombard the particles of foreign matter and impart thereto a' definite charge; and collecting said particles of'foreign matter.

' 12. A method of treating petroleum, including the steps of: passing a stream of charging fluid along an electrode surface; forming an electric field adjacent said electrode surface and of such intensity adjacent said electrode surface that charged particles of said charging fluid are violently propelled from said stream of charging fluid; and subjecting the petroleum to be.treated to said electric field and to said bombarding action.

13. A method of treating petroleum, includ ing the steps of: passing a stream of charging fluid around an edge of an electrode surface; forming a unidirectional electric field adjacent said electrode surface and of such intensity adjacent said edge of said electrode surface that charged particles of said charging fluid are violently propelled from said stream of charging fluid; and subjecting the petroleum to be treated to said electric field and to said bombarding action. a

14. In an electric treater, the combination of: a live centralelectrode; a surrounding electrode, there being a treating space therebetween; nozzle means for supplying a' fluid envelope of charging fluid around and in contact with said live central electrode; a charging-fluid storage means 0 in communication with said nozzle means; and

.means for delivering the fluid to be treated into said treating space.

15. In an electric treater, the combination of: a central electrode; a surrounding electrode, there-being a treating space therebetween; nozzle means adjacent one end of said central electrode and guiding a stream of fluid adjacent the surface of said central electrode, said fluid forming a fluid envelope around and in contact with 60 said central electrode; and pipe means communicating with said nozzle means and extending away from said one end of said electrode. 16. A process which includes the steps of setting up an elec'tric fleld between a pair of 65 electrodes; flowing a stream of liquid along one ,of said electrodes; and simultaneously flowing 'inner electrodes providing surfaces formed of a material having an aflinity for a charging fluid, 75

there being an electric field between said electrodes; means on said inner electrode for creating zones of high field intensity; means for flowing said charging fluid adjacent said central electrode; and means for supplying a liquid to be treated into said electric field.

18. In an electric treater, the combination of: a shell comprising an electrode; a live central electrode extending centrally into said shell but insulated therefrom; means for setting up an electric field between said electrodes, said field being sufficiently more intense adjacent said central electrode than adjacent said shell whereby charged liquid particles are violently expelled from said central electrode and toward said shell; and means for flowing a liquid along the inner surface of said shell and including an annular trough member cooperating with said inner surface of said shell in providing a narrow annular mouth.

19. In an electric treater, the combination of: a shell; a central electrode extending axially into said shell but insulated therefrom, there being an electric field between said central electrode and said shell; annular means for introducing a fluid into said shell; and a baifie means in the path of travel 01' said fluid and directing said fluid around said central electrode in the form of a fluid envelope contacting and flowing along said central electrode.

HARMON F. FISHER. 

